LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County Commissioners handled a mix of fiscal, infrastructure, and intergovernmental issues during Thursday’s meeting, highlighted by recognition for the county’s safety practices and progress on several major local projects.

The meeting opened with acknowledgment of the county’s receipt of the Pennsylvania Counties Risk Pool Risk Management Training Award, given jointly to Mifflin and Centre counties. Commissioners noted the honor reflects consistent participation in risk management and safety training, an effort that helps lower insurance premiums and sustain the county’s operating budget.

“It keeps our premiums down, which means our budget stays more sustainable,” Commissioner Rob Postal said, thanking staff for their diligence in attending training sessions.

The board then approved a slate of tax-related motions, including the exoneration of 185 county per capita taxes across six municipalities–Brown, Granville, Decatur, Lewistown Borough, Derry, and Menno townships. The commissioners discussed whether the cost of collecting the small per capita tax continues to justify its expense, suggesting the issue may be reconsidered in future budgets. They also approved a request to relieve delinquent real estate taxes on a Derry Township property after a mobile home there was destroyed by fire.

A series of service contracts followed. The board approved a $240-per-month cleaning agreement for 2026 with Sandra Herto at Magisterial District Judge 58-3-03’s office and renewed an annual $2,500 monthly contract with attorney Brian Baker to provide court-appointed counsel for custodial parents in child welfare cases.

Infrastructure planning occupied much of the discussion. The commissioners granted a one-year time extension for the West Railroad Bridge replacement in Brown Township, moving the completion deadline from December 2025 to December 2026 to allow for utility relocation. Planning Director James Lettiere said construction is now anticipated to begin in 2027, describing the project as a “long process” that remains under active coordination with PennDOT and local engineers.

Lettiere also outlined a settlement agreement between the county and M&J Land Acquisitions, LLC, which had filed a land-use appeal related to a proposed 21.5-acre solar array project. The dispute arose after the applicant failed to respond within 15 days to conditional approval terms from the county planning commission.

Under the agreement, the developer will withdraw its court appeal, accept the original conditions, and receive a 180-day extension to meet them. The company must also pay all associated engineering and inspection fees. Commissioners agreed the settlement avoids unnecessary legal costs while ensuring the project adheres to county standards.

Technology infrastructure also received attention with the renewal of a five-year telecommunications and dark-fiber agreement with Zito Business. The deal maintains the fiber network that connects the courthouse with multiple agencies, including the Mifflin County School District, local municipalities, and MCTV. Commissioners praised the agreement as a cost-effective partnership that has “served the county well” since its initial adoption in 2003 and ensures critical communication links remain stable.

A significant portion of the session centered on formalizing agreements with the Mifflin County School District tied to a $3 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project grant. The funds, administered through the county, will support ongoing facility improvements, including upgrades to the Mifflin County Sports Complex and, in the future, the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology.

Commissioners explained that the academy renovations had been part of the original capital project plan before the funds were redirected to the completed sports complex. An additional $1 million is also earmarked for future academy upgrades, with a cooperative agreement ensuring both sides coordinate use of the funds.

The board also approved a $97,567.96 State Food Purchase Program grant–an increase of about $15,000 over last year–to support local food pantries through the county’s Human Services Department. Commissioners noted that the county acts as an intermediary for the state funds, which are distributed directly to community food programs.

Additionally, a $127,300 Community Development Block Grant administrative services agreement was approved with SEDA-COG, continuing the partnership to manage federal funds for local infrastructure and community projects. Grants liaison Madison Price said the arrangement mirrors past years and covers both administrative and project costs.

In personnel actions, the board accepted the resignation of Corrections Officer Reece Deaver, transferred Elizabeth Morrison to a custodian position, rescinded one part-time hire at the correctional facility, and approved new hires Pamela Grassmyer as a tipstaff and Brian Spickler as a Children and Youth caseworker.